Email: info@rockbridgecc.org
December's
Newsletter
Page 2
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2005
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October
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January
A Rock and a Bridge,RBCC Monthly Newsletter |
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WEEK OF COMPASSION FROM JOHNNY WRAY, DEC. 2, 2005 Relief officials in earthquake-stricken Pakistan describe efforts to provide food, shelter and medicine to thousands of quake survivors as a "race in all senses of the word." The arrival of winter weather has tripled the number of people requiring hospital treatment for pneumonia and other acute respiratory ailments. Tens of thousands of people are living in tents in some of the hardest hit and most difficult to reach areas. The population at Church World Service/Norwegian Church Aid tent villages continues to grow, with new people arriving daily to seek shelter from the harsh winter weather. CWS has expanded its emergency operations to include the delivery of firewood to isolated communities, as well as jackets, wool jumpers, caps, quilted blankets and sleeping bags. Food distribution, water and sanitation services remain priorities. The latest statistics about quake damage are staggering. 244,668 homes destroyed or damaged, displacing more than 3 million people. 2210 schools destroyed or damaged, along with 238 medical facilities. The death toll is estimated to be around 85,000. Week of Compassion has now sent $151,000 toward its goal of $300,000 for emergency relief and recovery efforts. Designated gifts are still very much needed and welcomed and will be used in their entirety for our quake response. Gifts can be made online at www.weekofcompassion.org or sent to WOC, attn: Elaine Cleveland, PO Box 1986, Indpls, IN 46206. It is well worth noting that the Katrina Emergency Relief Act (KERA) of 2005 states that charitable cash gifts made by individuals to eligible charities for ANY charitable purpose between August 28 and December 31 will not be subjected to the 50% annual charitable deduction limit. The act also allows for those who do not itemize on their tax return to deduct their charitable giving this year. Individuals at every economic level have a particular opportunity this year to receive a special tax benefit with regard to charitable giving. Please confer with your tax preparer for additional details. |
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IT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH The RBCC Annual Meeting will be held immediately following worship Sunday, Dec. 18th. Copies of the proposed budget and slate of officers, board members, elders and deacons will be available at church beginning this Sunday. Only members can vote, but we encourage everyone to attend the meeting. NOTE: We WILL have church on Sunday, Dec. 25th at 10:45 am. There will NOT be Sunday School on either
Dec. 25th or Jan 1st. Christmas RBCC will have a Christmas Eve worship service at 7 pm Saturday, Dec. 24th. We hope you can include this special service in your holiday schedule. Join us! |
Christmas Offering – 12/18 &12/25 2005 Christmas Offering |